Tax money to go toward jail, road upgrades

Madison County on Feb. 5 voted 4,106 to 1,771 to renew a 1 percent special-purpose, local-option sales tax expected to generate $12.6 million for a wide array of improvements over five years.

About 40 percent of Madison County voters, including absentees, cast ballots on Super Tuesday, an average turnout compared to past general elections, said Madison County Election Superintendent Donald "Hoppy" Royston.

"We would have liked to have had about 50 percent, but that just didn't happen," Royston said.

Madison County Commissioner Stanley Thomas said he thinks the sales tax is the fairest way to fund some of the county's major projects.

"This should give incentives for people of Madison County to shop and support local businesses," Thomas said. "Hopefully, people will see this as a way to boost our economy."

Topping the special projects list is $3.95 million for road improvements and $3.3 million for a jail expansion that will double the building's inmate capacity and allow the county to house female prisoners.

The jail has almost reached its 64-bed capacity, Thomas said, and the county pays about $200,000 a year to allow female prisoners to be jailed in Lincoln County.

That $200,000 includes transport costs to and from Madison County for hearings and the salary of a public defender to travel to Lincoln County to speak with clients, he said.

The jail opened its doors for inmates in 2003 with a design that would allow for expansion, Thomas said.

The remaining $5.35 million in sales tax revenue will be divided among development projects, recreation additions, a library expansion, a courthouse renovation and emergency communications improvements.

Sewer and water improvements will help Madison County the most and might attract good businesses to the area, said District 5 Commissioner Bruce Scogin.

When Madison voters last approved the tax in 2003, county officials estimated it would bring in about $9.5 million over five years and designated about $8.4 million in revenue for roads, streets and bridge projects. The remaining $1.1 million was divided among the county's E-911 communication system, an expansion of the emergency medical system and six new $30,000 patrol cars for the sheriff's department.

The current five-year collection is set to expire June 30.

In Madison County elections, Danielsville voters chose Junne Temple over Todd Higdon to fill the vacant city council seat of Sammy Walker, who resigned for health reasons. Temple won 81 to 36.